Flash Memory Device and Method of Programming the Same

ABSTRACT

A non-volatile memory device includes an array of flash memory cells therein and a voltage generator. The voltage generator is configured to generate a program voltage (Vpgm), a pass voltage (Vpass), a blocking voltage (Vblock) and a decoupling voltage (Vdcp) during a flash memory programming operation. The blocking voltage is generated at a level that inhibits inadvertent programming of an unselected memory cell(s). This voltage level of the blocking voltage is set so that Vdcp&lt;Vblock≦Vpass&lt;Vpgn. The decoupling voltage (Vdcp) has a magnitude that is greater than a maximum threshold voltage of an erased memory cell in the array and less than a minimum threshold voltage of a programmed memory cell in the array. A row selection circuit is also provided. This row selection circuit is electrically coupled to word lines in the array and to the voltage generator. The row selection circuit is configured to route the program, blocking, decoupling and pass voltages from the voltage generator to first, second, third and fourth word lines in the array, respectively, where the second word line is spaced between the first and third word lines.

REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application 2005-37933 filed on May 6,2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to memory devices and, more particularly,to nonvolatile memory devices and methods of programming nonvolatilememory devices,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nonvolatile memory devices retain data even in the absence of a powersupply. Flash memories, which are a type of nonvolatile memory device,are widely used in computers and memory cards because they have manypreferred characteristics, including the ability to be erasedefficiently. Flash memories are often distinguished into NAND and NORtypes, based on how the memory cells are connected to bitlines. A NORflash memory is configured so that a bitline is connected to two morecell transistors in parallel, storing data by way of channelhot-electron effect and erasing data by way of the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N)tunneling effect. A NAND flash memory is configured so that a bitline isconnected to two more cell transistors in series, storing and erasingdata by way of the F-N tunneling effect. NOR flash memories may bedisadvantageous for high integration density because they dissipate muchcurrent, but are advantageous for adapting high-frequency operations.NAND flash memories may be advantageous when seeking high integrationdensity because they consume significantly less current than NOR flashmemories.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a memory cell array 10 of a generalNAND flash memory device. The flash memory device, also known as a flashEEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read-only-memory),includes the memory cell array 10 that is composed of plurality offloating-gate cell transistors. The memory cell array 10 is constructedwith multiple memory blocks in which pluralities of bitlines BL1˜BLm arearranged in parallel. Each memory block includes pluralities of cellstrings (or “NAND strings”) which correspond each to the bitlinesBL1˜BLm. The circuit configuration of a plurality of cell stringsbelonging to a single block is shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, each NAND string includes a string selectiontransistor SST, a ground selection transistor GST, and multiplefloating-gate cell transistors M0˜M31 (e.g., 32 in number) that areserially connected between the source of the string selection transistorSST and the drain of the ground selection transistor GST. The drain ofthe string selection transistor SST included in each string is connectedto the bitline corresponding thereto, and the source of the groundselection transistor GST is connected to a common source line (or commonsignal line) CSL. The gates of the string selection transistors SST ofthe NAND strings are coupled to a string selection line SSL in common,and the gates of the ground selection transistors GST are connected to aground selection line GSL. The control gates of the floating-gate celltransistors M0˜M31 included in each NAND string are coupled respectivelyto wordlines WL0˜WL31. The bitlines BL1˜BLm are electrically connectedto a page buffer circuit (not shown) of the flash memory device.

The ground selection line GSL, the wordlines WL0˜WL31, and the stringselection line SSL are connected each to signal selection lines, GS,Si0˜Si31, and SS, through block selection transistors BS0˜BS33,respectively. The block selection transistors BS0˜BS33, which areincluded in a row decoder circuit (not shown) of the flash memorydevice, are controlled by a block-selection control signal BS. Thesignal selection lines, GS, Si0˜Si31, and SS, are driven by selectioncircuits (or drive circuits) during each programming operation. Theblock-selection control signal BS is configured to have a high voltagelevel, when active, so as to make a program or pass voltage sufficientlytransferred to the wordlines WL0˜WL31 via the signal selection linesSi0˜Si31.

The floating-gate cell transistors, within memory cells M0˜M31, arefirst erased to have a predetermined threshold voltage (e.g., −3V).Then, during programming, a high voltage (e.g., 20V) is applied to awordline of a selected memory cell to thereby conduct a practicalprogramming operation for the selected memory cell. In order toaccomplish a successful programming result for the selected memory cell,a threshold voltage of the selected memory cell must be increased whilethe rest of the deselected memory cells are maintained without change.However, as shown in FIG. 1, since the control gates of thefloating-gate cell transistors M0˜M31 included in the cell strings areconnected to the wordlines WL0˜WL31 in common along rows, some problemsmay occur during the programming operation as follows. When a programvoltage is supplied to a selected wordline, the program voltage isapplied also to deselected memory cells arranged along the same wordlineas well as the selected memory cell. As a result, the deselected memorycell, which is arranged along the same wordline, may become programmed.Thus, accidental programming may result for a deselected memory cellconnected to a selected wordline. This accidental programming is causedby a phenomenon known as “program disturbance.”

Several ways of preventing the effect of program disturbance have beenproposed. For example, program inhibition by a self-boosting scheme isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,873, entitled METHOD OF PROGRAMMINGFLASH EEPROM INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MEMORY DEVICES TO PREVENT INADVERTENTPROGRAMMING OF NONDESIGNATED NAND MEMORY CELLS THEREIN, and in U.S. Pat.No. 5,991,202 entitled METHOD OF REDUCING PROGRAM DISTURB DURINGSELF-BOOSTING IN A NAND FLASH AMEMORY. Program inhibition by a localself-boosting scheme is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,194, entitledBIAS SCHEME OF PROGRAM INHIBIT FOR RANDOM PROGRAMMING IN A NAND FLASHMEMORY, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,270, entitled A METHOD FORPROGRAMMING A NON-VOLATILE MEMORY DEVICE WITH PROGRAM DISTURB CONTROL.The program-inhibiting method by the local self-boosting scheme raises achannel boosting voltage of a program-inhibited cell transistor higherthan the method by the self-boosting scheme. Thus, the localself-boosting scheme is widely used in programming multi-level memorycells in a flash memory device.

However, even with the aforementioned program-inhibiting methods, theproblem of program disturbance may still be present as the integrationdensity of the flash memory device gradually increases. This is becausean increase in the integration density of the flash memory devicenarrows intervals between adjacent memory cells and between adjacentsignal lines and this narrowing increases the probability of couplinginterference. In particular, since the program voltage applied to aselected wordline is set at a very high level relative to a power sourcevoltage of the flash memory device, the probability of a high voltageinfluencing the voltages on wordlines adjacent to a selected wordlineincreases.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a soft-programming effectthat is generated in a program-inhibited memory cell as the flash memorydevice is increased in integration density. In FIG. 2, there is shownthe configuration of potentials formed in channels of theprogram-inhibited cell 120 and memory cells 110 and 130 adjacent theretowhile employing a programming method that includes a local self-boostingscheme.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the programming method with the localself-boosting scheme, a bitline voltage of 0V is first applied to aselected bitline (i.e., a bitline connected to floating-gate celltransistors to be programmed), while a power source voltage Vcc isapplied to a deselected bitline (i.e., a bitline connected tofloating-gate cell transistors to be program-inhibited).

And then, a decoupling voltage of 0V is applied to two deselectedwordlines, WL_(n−1) and WL_(n+1), immediately adjacent to a selectedwordline WLn, while a pass voltage Vpass of 10V is applied to otherdeselected wordlines. During this step, a drain voltage of thefloating-gate cell transistor 130, which is coupled to the upperwordline WL_(n+1), and a source voltage of the floating-gate celltransistor 110, which is coupled to the lower wordline WL_(n−1), israised through a boosting operation by the pass voltage Vpass. As aresult, the memory cells, 110 and 130, to which the decoupling voltageis applied, are shut off to thereby electrically isolate channels of therest of the cells from the channel of the memory cell 120, to which theprogram voltage Vpgm is applied. This cuts off the current flowing intothe memory cells 110 and 130 that are located adjacent to the source anddrain of the program-inhibited cell 120.

In this case, the potentials formed in the channels of the memory cells,110 and 130, which are immediately adjacent to the source and drain ofthe program-inhibited cell 120, are noticed by P1 and P4 shown in FIG.2, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the potential P1, which isformed in the channel of the lower memory cell 110 of theprogram-inhibited cell 120, is larger than the potential P4, which isformed in the channel of the higher memory cell 130 of theprogram-inhibited cell 120. This is because the threshold voltage of thelower memory cell 110 has been already raised up to 1V before theprogram voltage Vpgm is applied to the selected wordline WLn. As wellknown, the programming operation begins first to the memory cell nearestto the ground selection line GSL, proceeding toward the string selectionline SSL in sequence. Accordingly, while the memory cell 130 coupled tothe upper wordline WL_(n+1) of the wordline WLn is held on an erasedstate with the threshold voltage of −3V (i.e., a low potential state)when a memory cell coupled to the wordline WLn is being programmed, thememory cell 110 coupled to the lower wordline WL_(n−1) of the wordlineWLn may be conditioned in a programmed state with the threshold voltageof 1V (i.e., a high potential state).

Continuously, when the program voltage Vpgm is applied to the selectedwordline WLn, a channel voltage of the program-inhibited cell 120 isboosted up to the level of the program voltage Vpgm. The boosted channelvoltage Vbst of the program-inhibited cell 120 is summarized as follows.Vbst=(Vcc−Vth _(—) SSL)/n+Vpgm*Cin/(Cin+Cch)  [Equation 1]

Here, the parameter Vth_SSL represents a threshold voltage Vth of thestring selection transistor and the parameter Cch represents channelcapacitance. The parameter Cin is defined as Cin=Cono*Ctunn/(Cono+Ctunn)and the parameter n means the number of the floating-gate celltransistors belonging to a string (e.g., 32). The parameter Cono denotescapacitance of an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) film interposed betweenfloating and control gates in the program-inhibited cell 120, and theparameter Ctunn denotes capacitance of a tunnel oxide film interposedbetween the floating gate and the semiconductor substrate in theprogram-inhibited cell 120.

According to an increase of the channel voltage of the program-inhibitedcell 120 to which the program voltage Vpgm is applied, as shown by theEquation 1, it decreases the potential between the floating gate andchannel in the program-inhibited cell 120 (refer to P3 of FIG. 2). As aresult, there is no generation of the F-N tunneling effect between thefloating gate and channel in the program-inhibited cell 120, preventingthe memory cell 120 from being programmed.

Meanwhile, as the program voltage Vpgm is very high as much as reaching20V, it boosts up channel voltages of the memory cells 110 and 130 thoseare adjacent to the program-inhibited cell 120, as well as theprogram-inhibited cell 120. Here, a voltage range ΔV_(B1) available tobe increased in the channel of a memory cell adjacent to theprogram-inhibited cell 120 (i.e., the memory cell 110 located at thelower side of the program-inhibited cell 120), is relatively lower thana voltage range ΔV_(B3) available to be increased in the channel of theprogram-inhibited cell 120. Thus, there is generated a potentialdifference ΔP, higher than a level, in an N-well region (i.e., a commonsource-drain region of the memory cells 110 and 120 adjacent to eachother) through which the program-inhibited cell 120 links with thememory cell 110 located lower than the cell 120. Thereby, electrons areaccelerated to move toward the floating gate of the program-inhibitedcell 120 (see the arrow {circle around (1)} in FIG. 2). On the otherhand, as the program voltage Vpgm is charged on the floating gate of theprogram-inhibited cell 120, there is generated a vertical electric fieldbetween the floating gate and channel of the program-inhibited cell 120(see the arrow {circle around (2)}). Due to this electric field, aproblem occurs because the accelerated electrons (i.e., hot carriers)are injected into the floating gate of the program-inhibited cell 120.As such, an effect of increasing the threshold voltage of theprogram-inhibited cell 120 by hot carriers is called “soft-programming”,which increases the threshold voltage of the program-inhibited cell 120and thereby causes the program-inhibited cell 120 to be inadvertentlyprogrammed. Therefore, as the integration density of the flash memorydevice is increased, it is necessary to prevent the problem of programdisturbance such as the soft-programming effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present include a non-volatile memory device havingan array of flash memory cells therein and a voltage generator. Thevoltage generator is configured to generate a program voltage (Vpgm), apass voltage (Vpass), a blocking voltage (Vblock) and a decouplingvoltage (Vdcp) during a flash memory programming operation. Inparticular, the blocking voltage is generated at a level that inhibitsinadvertent programming of an unselected memory cell(s). This voltagelevel of the blocking voltage is set so that Vdcp<Vblock≦Vpass<Vpgm. Thedecoupling voltage (Vdcp) has a magnitude that is greater than a maximumthreshold voltage of an erased memory cell in the array and less than aminimum threshold voltage of a programmed memory cell in the array. Arow selection circuit is also provided. This row selection circuit iselectrically coupled to word lines in the array and to the voltagegenerator. The row selection circuit is configured to route the program,blocking, decoupling and pass voltages from the voltage generator tofirst, second, third and fourth word lines in the array, respectively,where the second word line is spaced between the first and third wordlines. According to some of these embodiments, the first and second wordlines are immediately adjacent word lines and the second and third wordlines are immediately adjacent word lines. The third and fourth wordlines may also be immediately adjacent word lines.

According to additional embodiments of the invention, the row selectioncircuit is configured to route the blocking and decoupling voltages fromthe voltage generator to fifth and sixth immediately adjacent word linesin the array, respectively, with the fifth and first word lines beingimmediately adjacent word lines. Furthermore, the array of flash memorycells may include a plurality of NAND-type strings of memory cellshaving respective ground selection transistors therein. In this case, aword line electrically coupled to a plurality of the ground selectiontransistors may receive the blocking voltage during the flash memoryprogramming operation.

Still further embodiments of the invention include methods ofprogramming a flash memory array. The methods include driving a selectedwordline in the flash memory array with a program voltage (Vpgm) duringa programming operation while simultaneously driving a first unselectedwordline extending immediately adjacent the selected wordline with ablocking voltage (Vblock) and a second unselected wordline extendingimmediately adjacent the first unselected wordline with a decouplingvoltage (Vdcp) and a third unselected wordline extending immediatelyadjacent the second unselected wordline with a pass voltage (Vpass),where Vdcp<Vblock≦Vpass<Vpgm. The decoupling voltage (Vdcp) has amagnitude that is greater than a maximum threshold voltage of an erasedmemory cell in the flash memory array and less than a minimum thresholdvoltage of a programmed memory cell in the flash memory array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present inventionwill now be described with reference to the following figures, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the variousfigures unless otherwise specified. In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a memory cell array of a generalNAND flash memory device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a soft-programming effectthat is generated within a program-inhibited memory cell as the flashmemory device is increasing in integration density;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flash memory device in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram summarizing a scheme of applying voltages forprogramming the flash memory device in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating points at which the voltagesshown in FIG. 4 are applied;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams summarizing schemes of applying voltages tothe flash memory device in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating points at which the voltagesshown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are applied;

FIG. 9 is a diagram summarizing a scheme of applying voltages to theflash memory device in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram illustrating points at which the voltagesshown in FIG. 9 are applied; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of potentialpatterns formed in channels of a program-inhibited memory cell andmemory cells adjacent thereto in accordance with the programming schemeby the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below in moredetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may,however, be embodied in different forms and should not be constructed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in theart.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flash memory device 100 in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, theflash memory device 100 includes a memory cell array 10, a page buffercircuit 20, a row selection circuit 30, a high voltage generator 40, anda control circuit 50. The control circuit 50 regulates an operation ofgenerating a high voltage by the high voltage generator 40 and anoperation of applying the high voltage by the row selection circuit 30.The control circuit 50 enables the row selection circuit 30 to apply ablocking voltage Vblock to at least one or more wordlines mostimmediately adjacent to a selected wordline and to apply a decouplingvoltage Vdcp to a wordline immediately adjacent to the wordline to whichthe blocking voltage Vblock is applied. As a result, even with a higherintegration density of the flash memory device, program disturbances,such as a soft-programming effect, can be prevented. In other words, theelimination of a potential difference between a channel of aprogram-inhibited cell and a channel of a memory cell adjacent to theprogram-inhibited cell interrupts the establishment of a potentialdifference between the channels that is responsible for thesoft-programming effect. Hereinafter, it will be described in detailabout the functions and organizations of the blocks included in theflash memory device 100.

The memory cell array 10 includes a plurality of bitlines and wordlinesand a plurality of memory cells disposed at regions intersecting thebitlines and wordlines. The memory cell array 10 shown in FIG. 3 isprimarily constructed in the same NAND-string structure with that shownin FIG. 1. The NAND-string structure includes a string selectiontransistor SST and a ground selection transistor GST. However, accordingto additional embodiments of the invention or patterns of applyingvoltages to be used in a programming operation, the NAND string mayinclude two ground selection transistors 210 and 203, or two stringselection transistors 211 and 213, in a single NAND cell string, asshown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9.

The page buffer circuit 20 functions to store data in the memory cellarray 10 and reads out data from the memory cell array 10. The pagebuffer circuit 20 is connected to the memory cell array 10 via thebitlines. The page buffer circuit includes a plurality of page buffers(not shown) coupled to the bitlines. Each page buffer stores a data bitto be programmed into a memory cell or to be read out from a memorycell. In a programming operation, a bitline is supplied with a groundvoltage 0V or a power source voltage Vcc in accordance with a data valuestored in each page buffer. For instance, the ground voltage 0V isapplied to a bitline connected to a page buffer that is storing 0 as adata value (i.e., a bitline connected to a memory cell to beprogrammed). Otherwise, the power source voltage Vcc is applied to abitline connected to a page buffer that is storing 1 as a data value(i.e., a bitline connected to the program-inhibited cell).

As well known, the flash memory device performs a programming operationafter an erasing operation is performed on a block of memory cells. Anerased memory cell stores 1 as a data bit. Thus, the fact that a databit stored in a page buffer is 1 means that its correspondent memorycell is one not to be programmed. And, the fact that a data bit storedin a page buffer is 0 means that its correspondent memory cell is one tobe programmed.

The high voltage generator 40 supplies the various high voltagesnecessary for writing and reading data in the flash memory device 100(e.g., a program voltage Vpgm, a pass voltage Vpass, the blockingvoltage Vblock, the decoupling voltage Vdcp, and a read voltage Vread).The program voltage Vpgm is applied to a selected wordline during aprogramming operation, being set on about 20V. The pass voltage Vpass isapplied to deselected wordlines. The rest of the wordlines are suppliedwith the blocking voltage block and the decoupling voltage Vdcp, beinglower than the program voltage Vpgm but higher than the blocking voltageVblock.

The blocking voltage Vblock is provided to prevent a potentialdifference from being generated between the channel of theprogram-inhibited cell and the channel of a memory cell adjacent to theprogram-inhibited cell, during the programming operation. The blockingvoltage Vblock is applied to at least one or more wordlines mostadjacent to the selected wordline, and is equal to or less than the passvoltage Vpass and higher than the maximum threshold voltage of thememory cell to be programmed. The blocking voltage Vblock may be usedeven with the pass voltage Vpass, the power source voltage Vcc, or theread voltage Vread. Moreover, although the pass voltage Vpass, the powersource voltage Vcc, and the read voltage Vread, are set at fixed voltagelevels, the blocking voltage Vblock may be set at various voltage levelsthat are suitable for its operable range. In addition, a plurality ofthe blocking voltage Vblock may be identical to each other or differentfrom each other, for example, Vblock1-Vblock3 as shown in FIGS. 9 and10.

The decoupling voltage Vdcp is provided to cut off a current flowbetween memory cells adjacent to the program-inhibited memory cell andother memory cells. The decoupling voltage Vdcp is applied to at leastone or more wordlines adjacent to a wordline to which the blockingvoltage Vblock is applied, or applied to an upper wordline most adjacentto a selected wordline during a programming operation. The decouplingvoltage Vdcp is lower than the minimum threshold voltage of a programmedmemory cell and higher than the maximum threshold voltage of an erasedmemory cell. The decoupling voltage Vdcp may be used with a groundvoltage of 0V or less. The decoupling voltage Vdcp may be set at variousvoltage levels that are suitable for its operable range.

The row selection circuit 30 functions to decode a row address for amemory cell to be programmed, to select a wordline corresponding to thedecoded address, and to apply correspondent voltages to the selectedwordline and the other wordlines adjacent to the selected wordline.These functions of the row selection circuit 30 are carried out underregulation by the control circuit 50. According to the presentinvention, the row selection circuit 30 applies the blocking voltageVblock and the decoupling voltage Vdcp to lower wordlines sequentiallyadjacent to the selected wordline (i.e., wordlines between selectedwordline and ground selection line), while it applies the pass voltageVpass to deselected wordlines the rest thereof, during the programmingoperation. And then, the program voltage Vpgm is applied to the selectedwordline.

FIG. 4 is a diagram summarizing a scheme of applying voltages forprogramming a flash memory device in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustratingpoints at which the voltages shown in FIG. 4 are applied. In FIGS. 4 and5, there is shown a voltage biasing pattern for preventing theprogram-inhibited memory cell from being programmed inadvertently in thecase that the NAND string includes a single ground selection transistorGST and a single string selection transistor SST.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, at a point t₀, the ground voltage 0V isapplied to a bitline (i.e., a selected bitline) connected to a memorycell to be programmed and the power source voltage Vcc is applied to abitline (i.e., a deselected bitline) connected to the program-inhibitedmemory cell. Further, at the point to, the power source voltage Vcc isapplied to the string selection line SSL and the common source line CSLwhile the ground voltage 0V is applied to the ground selection line GSL.As a result, the string selection transistor SST to be associated withthe program-inhibited cell is charged up to Vcc−Vth (Vth is a thresholdvoltage of the string selection transistor) and then shut off to makeits source floated.

Continuously, at a point t₁, the blocking voltage Vblock, the decouplingvoltage Vdcp, and the pass voltage Vpass are applied to correspondingwordlines. In detail, the blocking voltage Vblock is applied to at leastone or more wordlines, WL_(n−1), or WL_(n−1) and WL_(n+1), most adjacentto the selected wordline WLn, Here, WL_(n−1) corresponds to the lowerwordline most adjacent to the selected wordline WLn (hereinafter,referred to as “first lower-adjacent wordline”). And, W_(n+1)corresponds to the upper wordline most adjacent to the selected wordlineWLn (hereinafter, referred to as “first upper-adjacent wordline”). Inneed of supplying the blocking voltage Vblock to an alternative one ofthe two wordlines WL_(n−1) and WL_(n+1) that are most adjacent to theselected wordline WLn, it is preferred to apply the blocking voltageVblock to the first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1). The reason why theblocking voltage Vblock should be applied to the first lower-adjacentwordline WL_(n−1) is because the program disturbance such as thesoft-programming effect is frequently generated between a channel of theprogram-inhibited cell and a channel of a memory cell connected to thefirst lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1).

Hereinafter will be described about the modes of supplying the blockingvoltage Vblock to an alternative one (i.e., the first lower-adjacentwordline WL_(n−1)) of the two wordlines WL_(n−1) and WL_(n+1) that aremost adjacent to the selected wordline WLn, and of supplying theblocking voltage Vblock to both of the two adjacent wordlines WL_(n−1)and WL_(n+1). First, in the mode of supplying the blocking voltageVblock only to the first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1), thedecoupling voltage Vdcp is applied to a lower wordline (hereinafter,referred to as “second lower-adjacent wordline”; WL_(n−2)) adjacent tothe first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1) and to the firstupper-adjacent wordline WL_(n+1). And, the pass voltage Vpass is appliedto the rest of the wordlines. Thereby, a drain voltage of thefloating-gate cell transistor connected to the first upper-adjacentwordline WL_(n+1) and a source voltage of the floating-gate celltransistor connected to the second lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2) areboosted up to increase therefrom by the pass voltage Vpass applied tothe deselected wordlines arranged therearound. Thus, memory cells withsupply of the decoupling voltage Vdcp (i.e., the memory cells coupled tothe first upper-adjacent wordline WL_(n+1) and the second lower-adjacentwordline WL_(n−2)) are shut off to electrically isolate a channel of thememory cell, to which the program voltage Vpgm is applied, from channelsof the other memory cells. As a result, current is interrupted fromflowing toward the memory cells coupled to the first upper-adjacentwordline WL_(n+1) and the second lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2).

After then, when the program voltage Vpgm is applied to the selectedwordline WLn at a point t₃, channels of the memory cells coupled to theselected wordline WLn and the first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1)become conductive. Therefore, there is no potential difference betweenthe channels of the memory cells, preventing formation of an electricfiled that accelerates electrons therein. As a result, as the motion ofelectrons is absent between the memory cells, the soft-programmingeffect is prevented for the program-inhibited memory cell because thememory cell coupled to the first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1) isturned on by the blocking voltage Vblock applied to the firstlower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1) even though the memory cell coupled tothe first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1) is programmed to have itsthreshold voltage increased. In the invention, the blocking voltageVblock is designed to be higher than the maximum threshold voltage of aprogrammed memory cell but equal to or less than the pass voltage Vpass.In this case, the function of interrupting the current flow between thememory cells, which are adjacent to the program-inhibited memory cell,and other memory cells is accomplished by the memory cells coupled tothe second lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2) and the first upper-adjacentwordline WL_(n+1), which are supplied with the decoupling voltage Vdcp.The channel capacitance to be boosted up by the supply of the programvoltage Vpgm exists in the channel of the memory cell to which theprogram voltage Vpgm is applied, and in the channel of the memory cellcoupled to the first lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1). As a result, thechannel voltage of the program-inhibited memory cell is effectivelyincreased to prohibit it from being programmed. Meanwhile, as theprogram voltage Vpgm is so high, it gradually goes to the high level of20V at the point t₃. And, the high voltage applied at the point t3 maybe generated with stepping up to its target level in order to fartherrestrain decoupling effects between adjacent memory cells.

Next, in the mode of supplying the blocking voltage Vblock to both thefirst lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−1) and the first upper-adjacentwordline WL_(n+1), the decoupling voltage Vdcp is applied to the secondlower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2) and an upper wordline (hereinafter,referred to as “second upper-adjacent wordline”; WL_(n+2)) adjacent tothe first upper-adjacent wordline WL_(n+1). And, the pass voltage Vpassis applied to the rest of the wordlines. Thereby, a drain voltage of thefloating-gate cell transistor connected to the second upper-adjacentwordline WL_(n+2) and a source voltage of the floating-gate celltransistor connected to the second lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2) areboosted up to increase therefrom by the pass voltage Vpass applied tothe deselected wordlines arranged therearound. Thus, memory cells withsupply of the decoupling voltage Vdcp are shut off to electricallyisolate a channel of the memory cell, to which the program voltage Vpgmis applied, from channels of other memory cells. As a result, itinterrupts currents flowing toward the memory cells coupled to thesecond upper-adjacent wordline WL_(n+2) and the second lower-adjacentwordline WL_(n−2).

After then, when the program voltage Vpgn is applied to the selectedwordline WLn at a point t₃, the channels of the memory cells coupled tothe selected wordline WLn and the first lower-adjacent wordlineWL_(n−1), and channels of the memory cells coupled to the selectedwordline WLn and the first upper-adjacent wordline WL_(n+1) becomeconductive to make a potential difference between the channels of theprogram-inhibited memory cell and the adjacent memory cell. As a result,as the motion of electrons is absent between the memory cells, itprevents the soft-programming effect therefrom. In this case, thefunction of interrupting the current flow between the memory cells,which are adjacent to the program-inhibited memory cell, and othermemory cells is accomplished by the memory cells coupled to the secondlower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2) and the second upper-adjacent wordlineWL_(n+2) those are supplied with the decoupling voltage Vdcp. Theboosted channel voltage Vbst is given as follows.Vbst−(Vcc−Vth _(—)SSL)/n+Vpgm*Cin/(Cin+3*Cch)+2*Vblock*Cin/(Gin+3*Cch)  [Equation 2]

Here, the parameter Vth_SSL represents a threshold voltage Vth of thestring selection transistor and the parameter Cch represents channelcapacitance. The parameter Cin is defined as Cin=Cono*Ctunn/(Cono+Ctunn)and the parameter n means the number of the floating-gate celltransistors belonging to a string (e.g., 32). The parameter Cono denotescapacitance of an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) film interposed betweenfloating and control gates in the program-inhibited cell 120, and theparameter Ctunn denotes capacitance of a tunnel oxide film interposedbetween the floating gate and the semiconductor substrate in theprogram-inhibited cell 120.

As can be seen from the Equation 2, according to the voltage-applyingscheme, the channel voltage of the program-inhibited memory cell isboosted up to a high voltage enough to prevent the inadvertent program.Thus, the boosted channel voltage Vbst inhibits programming ofprogram-inhibited cell.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams summarizing schemes of applying voltages tothe flash memory device in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention, and FIG. 8 is a timing diagram illustrating points at whichthe voltages shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are applied. In FIGS. 6 through 8,there is shown a voltage-biasing pattern in the case that the NANDstring is comprised of two ground selection transistors 201 and 203. Thevoltage biasing pattern shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 is similar to thatshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, but includes the feature of applying voltages tothe first and second ground selection lines GSL1 and GSL2 connected eachto the two ground selection transistors 201 and 203.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 8, in a mode of applying the programvoltage Vpgm to the n'th wordline WLn, the blocking voltage Vblock isapplied to the first ground selection line GSL1 adjacent downward to thelowest wordline WL0 at a point t₁. During this, the blocking voltageVblock applied to the first ground selection line GSL1 is higher than avoltage (e.g., Vcc) applied to a program-inhibited bitline. And, thesecond ground selection line GSL2 adjacent downward to the first groundselection line GSL1 is supplied with a voltage lower than the voltageapplied to the first ground selection line GSL1 (e.g., the groundvoltage 0V or the decoupling voltage Vdcp). And, the blocking voltageVblock is applied to at least one or more wordlines, WL_(n−1), orWL_(n−1) and WL_(n+1), adjacent to the selected wordline WLn. Thedecoupling voltage Vdcp is applied to at least one or more wordlines,WL_(n−2), or WL_(n−2) and W_(n+2), adjacent to the wordlines beingsupplied with the blocking voltage Vblock, or to the wordline WL_(n+1)most adjacent upward to the selected wordline during the programmingoperation. Further at the point t₁, the pass voltage Vpass is applied tothe remaining deselected wordlines. And then, the program voltage Vpgmis applied to the selected wordline WLn at a point t₃. As explainedpreviously, the blocking voltage Vblock is applied to at least one ormore wordlines, WL_(n−1), or WL_(n−1) and WL_(n+1), adjacent to theselected wordline WLn, and to the first ground selection line GSL1.During this, the blocking voltage Vblock may be used in a unique levelor in different levels. In other words, the blocking level Vblock may bevariable in the range that is higher than the maximum threshold voltageof a programmed memory cell, but is equal to or less than the passvoltage.

Also referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in a mode of applying the programvoltage Vpgm to the 0'th wordline WL0 (i.e., the lowest wordline), theblocking voltage Vblock is applied to the first ground selection lineGSL1 adjacent downward to the lowest wordline WL0, or to the firstground selection line GSL1 and the 1'th wordline WL1. During this, thesecond ground selection line GSL2 adjacent downward to the first groundselection line GSL1 is supplied with the ground voltage 0V or thedecoupling voltage Vdcp. While the blocking voltage Vblock is applied tothe 1'th wordline WL1, the decoupling voltage Vdcp is applied to the2'th wordline WL2. When blocking voltage Vblock is not applied to the1'th wordline WL1, the decoupling voltage Vdcp is supplied to the 1'thwordline WL1. And, the pass voltage Vpass is applied to the rest ofwordlines deselected at the point t1. And then, the program voltageVpgin is applied to the 0'th wordline WL0 at the point t₃. In this case,the blocking voltage Vblock is applied to the first ground selectionline GSL1, or to the first ground selection line GSL1 and the 1'thwordline WL1. During this, the blocking voltage Vblock may be set at aunique level or at different levels. In other words, the blocking levelVblock may be variable in the range that is higher than the maximumthreshold voltage of a programmed memory cell, or equal to or less thanthe pass voltage.

As stated above, with the structure that the NAND string has the twoground selection transistors 201 and 203, the blocking voltage Vblock isalways applied to the first ground selection transistor GSL1 while theground voltage 0V is always applied to the second ground selection lineGSL2, regardless of whether the program voltage Vpgm is supplied to then'th wordline WLn or the 0'th wordline WL0.

Usually, the ground voltage 0V is applied to the ground selection lineGSL for program inhibition. Therefore, when the program voltage Vpgm isapplied to the wordline most adjacent to the ground selection line GSL(i.e., the 0'th wordline WL0), it would cause a program-inhibited memorycell to be softly programmed because there is generated a high electricfield between the channel of the program-inhibited memory cell coupledto the 0'th wordline WL0 and the channel of the ground selectiontransistor GST coupled to the ground selection line GSL. In order toovercome the soft-programming effect, there are two ground selectiontransistors 201 and 203 at least in the NAND string. Further, theblocking voltage Vblock is applied to the first ground selectiontransistor 201 adjacent downward to the lowest wordline WL0 of the NANDstring, preventing a potential difference from being generated betweenthe channel of the first ground selection transistor 201 and the channelof the program-inhibited memory cell. And, the ground voltage 0V or thedecoupling voltage Vdcp is applied to the second ground selectiontransistor 203 that is adjacent downward to the first ground selectiontransistor 201, so that the second ground selection transistor 203 isturned off to prevent charges from leaking into the common source lineCSL while boosting up the channel of the program-inhibited memory cell.

Here, the first and second ground selection transistors, 201 and 203,may be formed of floating-oate transistors the same as the memory cells,or single transistors without charge storing layers. The charge-storinglayer may be formed of a conductive floating gate that is made of oneamong a silicon nitride film, an insulation film with high dielectricconstant, silicon dots, metal dots, and silicon-germanium (Si—Ge) dots.

FIG. 9 is a diagram summarizing a scheme of applying voltages to theflash memory device in accordance with anther embodiment of theinvention, and FIG. 10 is a timing diagram illustrating points at whichthe voltages shown in FIG. 9 are applied. In FIGS. 9 and 10, there isshown a voltage biasing pattern for preventing the program-inhibitedmemory cell from being softly programmed in the case that the NANDstring is comprised of two ground selection transistors, 201 and 203,and two string selection transistors 211 and 213.

The voltage biasing pattern shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to thatshown in FIGS. 6 through 8, but includes the feature of applyingvoltages to first and second ground selection lines SSL1 and SSL2connected each to the two string selection transistors 211 and 213.Generally, the ground voltage 0V is applied to the ground selection lineGSL for program inhibition. Therefore, when the program voltage Vpgm isapplied to the wordline most adjacent to the string selection line SSL(i.e., the 31'th wordline WL31), the string selection transistor SST,which is coupled to the string selection line SSL, is turned off and achannel voltage of the program-inhibited memory cell coupled to the31'th wordline WL31 is boosted up. As a result, it would cause aprogram-inhibited memory cell to be softly programmed because there isgenerated a high electric field between the channels of the memorycells.

In order to overcome the soft-programming effect in the memory cellcoupled to the wordline most adjacent to the string selection line SSL,there are provided the two string selection transistors 211 and 213 atleast in the NAND string. Further, the blocking voltage Vblock isapplied to the first string selection transistor 211 adjacent downwardto the highest wordline WL31 of the NAND string, preventing a potentialdifference from being generated between the channel of the first stringselection transistor 211 and the channel of the program-inhibited memorycell. And, the power source voltage Vcc is applied to the second stringselection transistor 213 that is adjacent upward to the first stringselection transistor 211, so that the second string selection transistor213 is turned off.

Here, the first and second string selection transistors, 211 and 213,may be formed of floating-gate transistors as same as the memory cells,or single transistors without charge-storing layers. The charge-storinglayer may be formed of a conductive floating gate that is made of oneamong a silicon nitride film, an insulation film with high dielectricconstant, silicon dots, metal dots, and silicon-germanium (Si—Ge) dots.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram the configuration of potential patternsformed in channels of a program-inhibited memory cell and memory cellsadjacent thereto in accordance with the programming scheme by theinvention. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11, it can be seen that thepotential difference ΔP between the memory cells 210 and 230 mostadjacent to the program-inhibited memory cell 220, by the programmingmethod of the invention, is reduced less than that shown in FIG. 2. Asaforementioned with relevant to FIG. 2, a primary factor causing thesoft-programming effect in the program-inhibited memory cell 120 is thepotential difference ΔP, larger than a constant level, in the N-wellregion 115 connected to the memory cell 120 and the adjacent memory cell110 when the program voltage Vpgn is being applied thereto. This arisesfrom the fact that the distance d between the memory cells becomessmaller as the integration density of the flash memory increases. Ingeneral, the probability of injecting electrons into the floating gateof the program-inhibited memory cell 120 is raised in proportion to thevalue of (P1−P2)/d. Here, the parameter d means the distance between theprogram-inhibited memory cell 120 and the memory cell 110 that is mostclosely adjacent downward to the program-inhibited memory cell 120. Theparameter P2 represents a value obtained by subtracting Vth (e.g., 0.7V)from the potential P3 formed in the channel of the program-inhibitedmemory cell 120. Thus, the probability of injecting electrons into thefloating gate of the program-inhibited memory cell 120 increases as thedistance d between the program-inhibited memory cell 120 and theadjacent memory cell 110 becomes smaller and the potential difference ΔPin the channels of the memory cells, 111 and 120, becomes larger.

Considering those relations with the parameters of the distance andpotentials in the memory cells, the invention uses the blocking voltageVblock that is applied to at least one or more wordlines, WL_(n−1) andWL_(n+1), adjacent to the selected wordline WLn during the programmingoperation, turning on the memory cells 210 and 230 most adjacent to theprogram-inhibited memory cell 220. As a result, it minimizes thepotential difference ΔP in the channels of the memory cells, preventingthe soft-programming effect. As the potential difference ΔP is minimizedin the channels of the memory cells although distances d1 and d2 betweenthe memory cells is narrower, it is able to protect the programdisturbance such as the soft-programming effect. In this case, whilephysical intervals between the memory cells correspond to d1 and d2, iteffects as same as the distance between the program-inhibited memorycell 220 and the adjacent memory cell extends to d′.

In addition, with an increase of the integration density for the flashmemory device, a channel length in the memory cell becomes shortened anda drain voltage level thereof is also lowered to cause a punch-througheffect. Accordingly, there would be induced a phenomenon of chargeleakage while the channel of the program-inhibited memory cell is beingboosted up. Therefore, in order to prevent the leakage of chargesthrough therethrough, the programming method by the invention increasesthe memory cells to which the decoupling voltage Vdcp is applied. Forinstance, it increases the number of wordlines supplied with thedecoupling voltage Vdcp, in plurality, at the up and downsides of awordline to which the program voltage Vpgm is applied. As an example,FIG. 4 shows the feature that the decoupling voltage Vdcp is applied tothe second lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2), which is located downwardfrom the selected wordline WLn, and the first upper-adjacent wordlineWL_(n+1), or to the second lower-adjacent wordline WL_(n−2) and thesecond upper-adjacent wordline WL_(n+2). But, in purpose of preventingthe punch-through effect aforementioned, the decoupling voltage Vdcp maybe applied to the second and third lower-adjacent wordlines WL_(n−2) andWL_(n−3), which are located downward of the selected wordline WLn, andthe first and second upper-adjacent wordlines WL_(n−2) and W_(n+2), orto the second and third lower-adjacent wordlines, WL_(n−2) and WL_(n−3),and the second and third upper-adjacent wordlines WL_(n+2) and WL_(n+2).

As aforementioned, according to the programming method for the flashmemory device by the invention, the blocking voltage is first applied toat least one or more wordlines adjacent to the selected wordline. Thedecoupling voltage is applied to at least one or more wordlines adjacentto a wordline with supply of the decoupling voltage, or to an adjacentwordline adjacent upward to the selected wordline. Then, the passvoltage is applied to the remaining wordlines deselected while theprogram voltage is applied to the selected wordline. The blockingvoltage is set as being higher than the maximum threshold voltage of aprogrammed memory cell, but equal to or less than the pass voltage. Thedecoupling voltage is set as being higher than the maximum thresholdvoltage of an erased memory cell, but lower than the minimum thresholdvoltage of a programmed memory cell. With this scheme of applyingvoltages, there is no generation of potential difference between achannel of a program-inhibited cell coupled to the selected wordline anda channel of a memory cell adjacent to the program-inhibited cell. Thus,since there is no variation in a threshold voltage of theprogram-inhibited cell during a programming operation, it is able toprevent program disturbance such as a soft-programming effect.Furthermore, increasing the number of wordlines supplied with thedecoupling voltage is helpful for preventing the punch-through effecttherein.

Consequently, the present invention is advantageous for reliableprogramming operation and program inhibition even though intervalsbetween memory cells become narrower and channel lengths become shorteralong the increase of the integration density in the flash memory.

While there has been illustrated and described what are presentlyconsidered to be example embodiments of the present invention, it willbe understood by those skilled in the art that various othermodifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, withoutdeparting from the true scope of the invention. Additionally, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to theteachings of the present invention without departing from the centralinventive concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that thepresent invention not be limited to the particular embodimentsdisclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling withinthe scope of the appended claims.

1. A non-volatile memory device, comprising: an array of flash memorycells; a voltage generator configured to generate a program voltage(Vpgm), a pass voltage (Vpass), a blocking voltage (Vblock) and adecoupling voltage (Vdcp) during a flash memory programming operation,where Vdcp<Vblock≦Vpass<Vpgm; and a row selection circuit electricallycoupled to word lines in said array and to said voltage generator, saidrow selection circuit configured to route the program, blocking,decoupling and pass voltages from said voltage generator to first,second, third and fourth word lines in said array, respectively, wherethe second word line is spaced between the first and third word lines.2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the first and second word linesare immediately adjacent word lines; and wherein the second and thirdword lines are immediately adjacent word lines.
 3. The memory device ofclaim 2, wherein the third and fourth word lines are immediatelyadjacent word lines.
 4. The memory device of claim 2, whereinVdcp<Vblock<Vpass<Vpgm.
 5. The memory device of claim 1, wherein theblocking voltage is greater than a power supply voltage received by saidvoltage generator.
 6. The memory device of claim 2, wherein said rowselection circuit is further configured to route the blocking anddecoupling voltages from said voltage generator to fifth and sixthimmediately adjacent word lines in said array, respectively; and whereinthe fifth and first word lines are immediately adjacent word lines. 7.The memory device of claim 2, wherein said array of flash memory cellscomprises a plurality of NAND-type strings of memory cells havingrespective ground selection transistors therein; and wherein a word lineelectrically coupled to a plurality of the ground selection transistorsreceives the blocking voltage during the flash memory programmingoperation.
 8. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the decouplingvoltage (Vdcp) has a magnitude that is greater than a maximum thresholdvoltage of an erased memory cell in said array and less than a minimumthreshold voltage of a programmed memory cell in said array.
 9. Anon-volatile memory device, comprising: a NAND-type string of EEPROMcells; a voltage generator configured to generate a program voltage(Vpgm), a pass voltage (Vpass), a blocking voltage (Vblock) and adecoupling voltage (Vdcp) during a flash memory programming operation,where Vdcp<Vblock≦Vpass<Vpgm and Vblock is greater than a power supplyvoltage received by said voltage generator; and a row selection circuitelectrically coupled by word lines to said NAND-type string, said rowselection circuit configured to route the program, blocking, decouplingand pass voltages from said voltage generator to first, second, thirdand fourth word lines in said NAND-type string, respectively, where thesecond word line is spaced between the first and third word lines. 10.The memory device of claim 9, wherein the first and second word linesare immediately adjacent word lines; wherein the second and third wordlines are immediately adjacent word lines; and wherein the third andfourth word lines are immediately adjacent word lines.
 11. The memorydevice of claim 10, wherein said row selection circuit is furtherconfigured to route the blocking and decoupling voltages from saidvoltage generator to fifth and sixth immediately adjacent word lines insaid NAND-type string, respectively; and wherein the fifth and firstword lines are immediately adjacent word lines.
 12. The memory device ofclaim 9, wherein the decoupling voltage (Vdcp) has a magnitude that isgreater than a maximum threshold voltage of an erased memory cell insaid NAND-type string and less than a minimum threshold voltage of aprogrammed memory cell in said NAND-type string.
 13. A method ofprogramming a flash memory array, comprising the steps of: driving aselected wordline in the flash memory array with a program voltage(Vpgm) during a programming operation while simultaneously driving afirst unselected wordline extending immediately adjacent the selectedwordline with a blocking voltage (Vblock) and a second unselectedwordline extending immediately adjacent the first unselected wordlinewith a decoupling voltage (Vdcp) and a third unselected wordlineextending immediately adjacent the second unselected wordline with apass voltage (Vpass), where Vdcp<Vblock≦Vpass<Vpgm.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein Vdcp<Vblock<Vpass<Vpgm.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein the decoupling voltage (Vdcp) has a magnitude that is greaterthan a maximum threshold voltage of an erased memory cell in the flashmemory array and less than a minimum threshold voltage of a programmedmemory cell in the flash memory array. 16.-55. (canceled)